DeMarcus Cousins was recently ranked 68th on Sports Illustrated's Top 100 NBA players list, but he faced an even worst fate in ESPN's rankings, falling one spot below his SI ranking.

The ranking was decided by a panel of ESPN beat writers and national columnists, which determined his place on the list coming into the 2018-19 season. Nick Friedell provided the following explanation for his placement:

Cousins would be much higher on the list had it not been for an Achilles tear that cost him half of last season. As a freshly minted member of the Golden State Warriors, Cousins will face little pressure to return to the floor quickly. But once he does come back, it is imperative for his future that he shows he can still be a All-Star-caliber player on a team full of future Hall of Famers.

If Cousins can regain his form, he will have plenty of big-money suitors once he hits free agency again next summer.

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Is this really the DeMarcus Cousins the NBA fussed and whined about all of July after he was signed to the mid-level extension? The one they called the best center in the league before he fell to injury?

Cousins was having arguably his best season as a pro before the injury (25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game), yet he's ranked below Denver Nuggets spark plug Will Barton (No. 68) and Miami Heat 3-and-D specialist Josh Richardson of the Miami Heat (No. 67). Perhaps most surprisingly, Cousins is even below Chicago Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen, who has only played one NBA season.

All of these rankings only add to Cousins' list of naysayers as he channels this fuel for his recovery process, which showed great strides during the month of August, when he was seen already dunking off his injured left foot.